Model Town tribunal seeks ISI analysis on phone data

LAHORE: The one-man inquiry tribunal consisting of Justice Ali Baqir Najafi of the Lahore High Court, probing into Model Town incident of June 17, has adjourned proceedings until tomorrow (Wednesday) for recording further evidence. On Monday, lawyers were observing strike in solidarity with Palestinian people; therefore, the judge held proceedings of the tribunal in his chamber.The Lahore district and sessions judge presented a report along with testimony of four injured persons. The tribunal had appointed the district judge local commissioner to record statements of the injured persons admitted at Jinnah Hospital.The joint investigation team (JIT) also presented details of the cell phones under the use of chief minister, former law minister and 16 other personalities associated with the Model Town incident. The judge ordered that list of cell phone numbers under the use of these 18 persons be handed over to ISI Deputy Director Asad Ali Khan for the purpose of analysis. Meanwhile, cellular mobile operators concerned were directed to provide data of conversation/communication that took place on June 16 and June 17 in respect of these phone numbers by July 16.On July 7, the tribunal had directed the JIT to provide record of telephonic conversation/communication that took place between the chief minister, former law minister, former principal secretary to the chief minister, home secretary, commissioner, CCPO, DCO, and other police and administration officials. DSP Saiful Murtaza, a member of the JIT, placed the record pertaining to cell phones along with progress report of the team. He undertook to provide data of remaining cell phone numbers under use of persons associated with the incident whenever it was made available to him.Additional IGP Altaf Hussain placed on record a report of SOPs of communication between police command during any operation similar to the one that took place on June 17. Special Branch SSP Muhammad Waqar Abbasi submitted two CDs containing video footage of the operation.IB Directors Masroor Alam and Sajid Bilal also appeared before the tribunal and placed on record a report of the incident prepared by the bureau. ISI Deputy Director Asad Ali Khan also placed on record a report and two CDs of the incident’s footage.